West Brom’s Wood called up to New Zealand squad

West Bromwich Albion youngster Chris Wood has been called up for New Zealand’s Confederations Cup squad.

West Bromwich Albion youngster Chris Wood has been called up for New Zealand’s Confederations Cup squad.

The 17-year old will travel with the All-Whites to South Africa for the tournament which starts on June 14 this year.

Wood made his Premier League debut for the Baggies against Portsmouth last month and was also named the New Zealand Young Player of the Year recently.

National team coach Ricki Herbert said Wood deserved his place in the senior NZ squad.

"Chris has gone to a good club, spent a decent amount of time in a very competitive environment and been good enough to pave his way through to coming off the bench in a Premier League game," Herbert said in a statement on Thursday.

"That speaks volumes and he thoroughly justifies his place in the squad."